Introduction: The TikTok Refugee Movement and the Emergence of a New Digital Opportunity Recent developments surrounding TikTok in the United States have sparked an unexpected and intriguing shift in digital user demographics. In January 2025, the potential ban of TikTok’s service in the U.S. led to a significant migration of American users seeking alternative platforms. […]

On July 21, 2025, the Hangzhou Intermediate Court delivered a second-instance ruling in the trademark infringement and unfair competition dispute concerning the George Patton brand Case No.: (2024) Zhe 01 Min Zhong 10520. This landmark case, recognized as the first involving metaverse virtual reality trademarks, has garnered widespread attention. The court not only upheld the […]

Case Background The Hangzhou Internet Court recently adjudicated a pivotal copyright dispute concerning an AI platform enabling users to train and distribute LoRA models derived from protected Ultraman imagery. This ruling establishes critical boundaries for generative AI service providers’ legal responsibilities when facilitating user-generated content that implicates third-party intellectual property. Technical Functionality & Alleged Infringement […]

Case Summary A company based in Shanghai runs a non-ferrous metal price information platform called Shanghai Youmo Network. This site offers consumers daily spot metal prices, known as SMM price data, for various metals such as copper, aluminum, lead, and zinc, totaling 1,249 price points. The information is collected through market research and analyzed using proprietary AI algorithms, gaining considerable recognition in the market. […]

This article, originally published in Chinese in Issue 10 of China Judgments in 2025, is authored by He Zhuolan, who holds the position of Assistant Judge at the Judicial Administration Office of the Guangzhou Internet Court. Emotional artificial intelligence (referred to as “emotional AI”) encompasses AI applications that facilitate emotional interactions with users and offer psychological […]

The rapid advancements in intelligent robotics and live streaming have led to the emergence of numerous legal challenges, such as defining the legal status of virtual digital personas, determining if using someone else’s virtual persona for live streaming is an infringement, and whether mimicking another’s live streaming room design amounts to unfair competition. The Hangzhou Court addressed these issues in the Erbai Robot case, clarifying […]

In a time when artificial intelligence knows no boundaries, developers of AI applications in China are leading the way in global technology. The rapid growth of AI app exports, which includes advanced language processing tools, computer vision technologies, and predictive analytics systems, necessitates the establishment of robust intellectual property protection measures. This strategic need goes […]

Case Number: (2021) Jing 0105 Minchu 42912 Case Summary Plaintiff: Takashi Murakami Defendants: Alcon Company, Beijing Hengzhi Company, Shenzhen Junfei Company. Takashi Murakami is a highly regarded contemporary artist from Japan, celebrated for his impactful work on a global scale. Among his notable creations is the “Sunflower” series, which has gained widespread acclaim and recognition. […]

Judicial Viewpoint in Detail 【Case Number】: (2018) Jing Xing Zhong 312 【Adjudicating Institution】: Beijing High People’s Court In this case, all parties agree that the goods associated with the disputed trademark and the goods approved for the cited trademark are the same or similar. The disputed trademark features the Chinese phrase “五粮液年份原浆” (Wuliangye Vintage Original Liquor), […]

A recent court ruling from Beijing Haidian District Court has determined that a company, along with five other defendants, engaged in the manufacturing and sale of counterfeit switches bearing the “Huawei” brand, which constitutes trademark infringement. Huawei as the plaintiff initiated legal action against the six defendants, seeking an end to the infringement and requesting […]

If you create, sell, or import porcelain products—especially those with unique patterns or designs—understanding China’s copyright laws is critical to protecting your intellectual property . A landmark 2021 case, recognized as one of the Supreme Court’s Top 50 Typical Cases, offers vital insights into how Chinese courts rule on porcelain design infringement. This guide breaks […]